Woman shares personal story, encourages other through new book

IF YOU GOWHAT: "What I Learned Lying Down: Encouragement for the Chronically Ill" - Book signing

WHEN: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Bible Book Store, 6703 N. Navarro St.

COST: Book costs $14.99

Angie Baker Dugi will probably never leave the medical maze.

The 42-year-old former Inez resident was diagnosed with lupus nine years ago and has endured hundreds of tests and numerous medications, but the one thing that has really helped is only 206 pages long - it's her book.

Her book, "What I Learned Lying Down: Hope for the Chronically Ill," talks about her battle with lupus and how it affects those around her and the hope she's found despite her failing health.

Dugi, who now lives in Brenham, will have a book selling and signing on Saturday at the Bible Book Store.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.

Dugi also has fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

"I live life one day at a time," Dugi said in a phone interview about how she looks at life. "My faith and trust in God is what gets me through each day."

Monday wasn't a bad day for Dugi, but she was a bit cloudy-headed because the disease has already begun affecting her brain.

"I don't look into the future at all," she said. "It has progressed, unfortunately."

Dugi has been married for 16 years and has three children aged 15, 13 and 9.

The disease has been hard on them.

Dugi knew she was not the only one who lived this life and one night, she woke up and heard a silent whisper.

"I want you to start writing," said the voice, who Dugi said was the voice of God.

She began to journal and instantly felt good releasing her thoughts on paper, she said.

Now seven years later, she has the book.

The day Dugi received the book, she was too sick to get out of bed.

She held the book up and and smiled weakly - the photo of Dugi is on the book's Facebook page.

In the book, Dugi is transparent, she said.

Chapters range from discussing acceptance to coping.

All these ideas are what Dugi uses, which makes the book very real.

"It's a battle," she said. "No one really can walk through it with you unless they've been there."